Isabelle Paradis, President and Founder, HOT TELECOM
As someone deeply involved in initiatives aimed at encouraging young people to take an active role in the telecom and tech industries, I’ve had the privilege of hearing firsthand what this generation thinks about the digital world they’ve inherited. They aren’t just interested in using technology; they want to shape it, challenge it, and make it better.
These conversations have been enlightening, inspiring, and, at times, eye-opening. Young people see both the incredible opportunities and the glaring flaws in today’s digital landscape. They’re asking tough questions about how technology impacts society, democracy, and human rights—and more importantly, they’re demanding answers.
This article captures their vision, frustrations, and determination to create a digital future that reflects the values of fairness, inclusion, and accountability. It’s not just about fixing what’s broken—it’s about building something better.
A generation’s vision for the future of technology
For today’s youth, technology is not just a tool—it’s an extension of their daily lives. They’ve grown up in a hyper-connected world, shaped by artificial intelligence, social media, and digital ecosystems that influence everything from education to democracy.
But while technology has brought incredible opportunities, young people also recognize its flaws. They see a world where innovation often outpaces ethics, where privacy is treated as an afterthought, and where algorithms shape their perceptions in ways they don’t always understand.
This is why digital humanism—the idea that technology should serve human values, democracy, and rights—is more than just a theory. For the younger generation, it’s an urgent call to action.
Privacy is a right, not a feature
One of the most pressing concerns for young people is privacy—or the lack of it. Growing up in a world of constant data collection, they’ve become highly aware of how their personal information is being tracked, sold, and used—often without their full consent. They understand that convenience often comes at the cost of privacy, but they don’t believe that should be the norm.
They are advocating for stronger data protection laws, ethical tech design, and user control over personal information. They support efforts like GDPR1-style regulations and privacy-first platforms that challenge the status quo.
Beyond legal protections, they are also pushing for education on digital literacy and privacy awareness. They believe that understanding how data is collected and used is essential for making informed choices online. Schools and universities, they argue, should prioritize teaching privacy fundamentals, equipping individuals with the tools to navigate the digital world securely.
For them, digital privacy isn’t about hiding—it’s about having the right to control their own digital identity.
They see privacy not as a feature but as a fundamental human right that must be protected.
AI: Power without accountability? Not anymore
But privacy is just one part of the puzzle. Artificial intelligence is shaping everything—from who gets hired to what kind of healthcare people receive. Yet young people are deeply concerned about how AI is being developed and deployed. They’ve seen biased AI systems making unfair hiring decisions, predictive policing tools reinforcing discrimination, and deepfake technology eroding trust in what we see and hear.
For them, AI must be transparent, fair, and accountable. They are calling for stricter regulations, more diverse voices in AI development, and better oversight to prevent harmful biases. Many are taking action themselves—pushing for AI ethics courses in universities, joining organizations like the Algorithmic Justice League, and advocating for AI that aligns with human values rather than corporate interests.
They are also questioning how much control humans are willing to give to machines. As automation and AI become increasingly integrated into decision-making processes, young people are asking where the line should be drawn. Should algorithms decide who gets parole or what kind of healthcare treatment someone receives? They believe that human oversight is critical, especially when decisions impact lives and livelihoods. For them, AI can augment human decision-making, but it should never replace human accountability.
From their point of view, the future of AI shouldn’t be dictated solely by those who build it. It should be shaped by those who live with its consequences.
Innovation without inclusion is not innovation
This naturally raises the question: Who gets to shape the future of technology? For young people, it’s clear that innovation cannot be meaningful if it isn’t inclusive. They see a tech industry dominated by a narrow group of voices, designing tools and systems that often overlook the needs of marginalized communities.
To them, digital humanism means ensuring that innovation is inclusive. They support initiatives like Girls Who Code2 and AI4ALL,3 which aim to diversify the tech industry. They also advocate for bridging the digital divide so that everyone, regardless of background or income, has access to the tools that shape modern life.
They also emphasize the importance of equity in access to opportunities. It’s not just about who uses the technology—it’s about who gets the chance to create it. Young people are demanding better pathways into the tech world for underrepresented groups, including mentorship programs, scholarships, and policies that address systemic barriers. They believe that when more people have the chance to contribute, innovation becomes richer, more creative, and truly transformative.
A future where technology only serves a select few is not the future they want to build.
For them, inclusion isn’t just a value—it’s a requirement.
Social media needs a redesign—and they know it
If AI and privacy represent systemic issues, social media represents the daily reality of how technology can both connect and harm. These platforms are where young people spend much of their time, yet they are also spaces filled with misinformation, mental health struggles, and addictive design choices.
The same algorithms designed to capture attention have also created echo chambers, fueled misinformation, and damaged mental health. Young people are waking up to the fact that these platforms weren’t built with their well-being in mind. They aren’t just asking for tweaks— they want a full redesign, one that prioritizes meaningful connection over endless engagement.
In addition to calling for better design, young people are also advocating for greater education around digital well-being. They believe that helping users—especially teens—understand how social media algorithms work and their effects on mental health is key to fostering a healthier relationship with these platforms. By pairing education with smarter regulation, they aim to shift the focus from passive consumption to intentional, mindful usage.
Movements like “Log Off”4 and calls for legislation against manipulative design show that young people aren’t just complaining about the problem— they’re actively working toward solutions.
They believe social media should foster connection, not division.
Democracy in the digital age: A double- edged sword
The impact of technology doesn’t stop at personal experiences—it extends to society as a whole. Nowhere is this more apparent than in its relationship with democracy. Young activists have seen firsthand how technology can be a tool for political change. From mobilizing climate strikes on TikTok to demanding racial justice through viral campaigns, they know the power of digital activism.
But they also see how technology is being used to undermine democracy—whether through election interference, AI-generated fake news, or social media algorithms that amplify extreme views.
Their response? Fighting for stronger safeguards. They are pushing for better digital literacy programs, fact-checking initiatives, and AI regulations that prevent manipulation at scale.
They understand that democracy cannot survive if the digital world becomes a battleground for misinformation.
For them, technology should empower democratic participation—not erode trust in the truth.
The future of digital humanism belongs to them
Ultimately, all these issues—privacy, AI, inclusivity, social media, and democracy—come back to one core belief: Technology should serve humanity, not the other way around.
The younger generation is not just passively accepting the direction of technology. They are actively shaping it. They are questioning AI ethics before AI rewrites the rules of society. They are redesigning social media to promote connection over manipulation. They are fighting for democracy in a digital landscape rife with misinformation. They are demanding inclusivity so that technology works for all, not just a privileged few. And they are reclaiming privacy as a fundamental right, not a feature to be sold.
This isn’t just about fixing what’s broken—it’s about building something better. The digital world is still being written, and young people are making sure that the next chapters are built on fairness, transparency, and human values.
The question is no longer whether technology will shape the future—it’s who gets to decide how. And the young generation is making sure that answer includes all of us.
ISABELLE PARADIS
Isabelle is President and Founder of HOT TELECOM, one of the most innovative and creative telecom research and consulting companies in the industry. HOT TELECOM has been supporting operators and vendors on a global basis for over 20 years, more particularly on the subjects of International and wholesale. More recently, Isabelle has been working with many of the world’s telecom service providers to help them define their transformation strategy and has written multiple articles and speaks at conferences on this topic.
She is also passionate about encouraging the involvement of women and young people in technology and science and conducts multiple panels and interview on the topic globally. She is a member of the Youth and Women Entrepreneurship ESBN taskforce, which is a working group created by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for the Asia Pacific (ESCAP), a member of the PTC Board of Governors and a member of the board of the Global Telecom Women’s Network.
She is also the founder of the Inclusion hub, which aims to encourage the participation of young people in the telecom industry. Isabelle holds a Bachelor degree in Engineering, an MBA in Finance and has over 30 years experience working globally.
